FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2002

Media Contacts - Gordon Eckert, TPWD Law Enforcement, 915-247-4847; Llano County Sheriff's Department, 915-247-5767; Kristen Everett 512-389-8046 or pager 888-444-2863.

AUSTIN, Texas - Agencies spanning central Texas are offering up to $8,000 in reward money for information in a hit-and-run boat accident that left one Lampasas high-school student dead and two others injured earlier this month.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens have investigated nearly 100 leads from the public since the May 3 accident on Lake Buchanan. Crime Stoppers programs in Burnet and Llano counties and the Austin area are now offering up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and/or a conviction in the case; the Lower Colorado River Authority is offering up to $4,000 through Crime Stoppers; and a bank in Lampasas has set up an account to accept donations.

The three Lampasas High School students were fishing when they were struck by what is now being described by wardens as a dark blue-bottomed, fiberglass boat with a dark-colored engine. It ran into them almost head-on and then went airborne over the top of their bass fishing boat.

Justin Roberts, 18, was ejected from the boat and killed; Kelly Jean Corbin, 19, was knocked unconscious but was found in the boat; and the boat operator, Jim Daniels, 17, was ejected. All three were wearing their lifejackets and their boat lights were on.

"Sometimes there are people out there who have information but are reluctant to come forward and reward money is the extra motivation they need," said Sam Center, game warden captain who is overseeing the investigation.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the nearest agency on the

following list:

§ Gordon Eckert, TPWD Law Enforcement, 915-247-4847 or the Llano County Sheriff's Department, 915-247-5767.

§ Burnet County Crime Stoppers, 512-756-8477.

§ Capital Area Crime Stoppers, (Austin) 512-472-8477.

§ Llano County Crime Stoppers, 915-388-4224.